Toy drive makes a difference for military families during the holidays
Military Appreciation Week at Dakota County Technical College offered a range of activities and events, including a charitable drive called Toys 4 Military Kids (T4MK). Partnering with Minnesota Beyond the Yellow Ribbon communities, T4MK honors and thanks military families for their many sacrifices in defense of the nation.
Founded 16 years ago, T4MK provides toys to military units for their holiday parties as well as support for individual military families. T4MK has distributed thousands of toys to military children in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa since its inception.
Anna Voight, associate director of student life at DCTC, reported that T4MK on campus was coordinated by the college’s Military and Veterans Service Center. “Nearly sixty items were collected,” Anna said, “along with eight gift cards totaling $175.”
More about the Military and Veterans Service Center…
Established in spring 2007 in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, the Military and Veterans Service Center provides support to military members, veterans, and their families as they transition to college and beyond. The center is committed to offering information and assistance as well as a welcoming space for students to gather for peer support.
Located in Room 2-303 on campus, the center is staffed by Katherine Bachman and VA work-study students who are committed to helping veterans reach their higher education goals.
Katherine Bachman, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) higher education regional coordinator at the college, thanked everyone who donated to T4MK.
“The Toys 4 Military Kids charitable drive was a huge success thanks to the commitment of the DCTC community,” Kathy said. “Toys donated will go to military families and DCTC veteran students who find it difficult to provide toys for their family during the holiday season.”
To learn more about the Military and Veterans Service Center at DCTC, contact:
Kathy Bachman
MDVA Higher Education Regional Coordinator
651-423-8274
Military and Veterans Service Center: Room 2-303
